01
Best overall pick
Gold Lake Beach
Lakes Basin, West Of Graeagle • High-Elevation Alpine Lake Beach • Best Overall Mountain-Lake Experience
A classic Sierra alpine lake with clear water, granite scenery, and a compact day-use beach that feels wild but still easy to reach.
The day-use area on Gold Lake’s northeast shore offers a mix of small sandy pockets and smooth rock shelves where you can spread out a towel. Mornings tend to be glassy and perfect for paddleboards or canoes, with views straight up to the Sierra Buttes. Shade is limited, so bring an umbrella if you plan to linger through a long summer afternoon.
02
Best for easy access
Honker Cove Beach, Lake Davis
North Shore Of Lake Davis, North Of Portola • Wide Reservoir Beach • Best For Fishing And Families
A gentle, open shoreline where anglers, picnicking families, and casual swimmers can all find their own corner of water.
Honker Cove has the feel of a classic Sierra reservoir hangout, with a broad, gently sloping shore that makes getting in and out of the water straightforward. It is one of the more convenient spots on Lake Davis, with nearby parking, boat access, and room to spread out chairs or a shade canopy. Expect cooler water and a relaxed pace, plus good chances of seeing osprey and other birds working the lake.
03
Best with young kids
Sand Pond Beach
Near Sardine Lake In Lakes Basin • Shallow Family Swimming Beach • Best For Little Waders And Relaxed Picnics
A small, sheltered pond with a sandy bottom and warm, shallow water that’s tailor-made for cautious swimmers and young families.
Sand Pond sits just off the main Lakes Basin road, with an easy walk from the parking area to the water’s edge. The pond is shallow with a mellow shoreline, so kids can wade and splash without the steep drop-offs common at nearby mountain lakes. Bring a picnic and plan to linger; the backdrop of the Sierra Buttes makes this little beach feel surprisingly dramatic for such a low-key spot.
04
Best for a lakeside weekend
Sandy Point Beach, Bucks Lake
Bucks Lake, Southwest Of Graeagle • Wooded Reservoir Beach • Best For Camping And Paddling
A forest-framed shoreline with roomy sandy stretches, calm coves, and nearby campgrounds that invite you to stay a few days.
Sandy Point lives up to its name, with one of the nicer stretches of sand on Bucks Lake and an easy, forgiving entry into the water. The surrounding pines provide pockets of shade, and the cove layout usually keeps waves small enough for paddlers and casual swimmers. Pair a beach day here with an overnight at one of the nearby campgrounds and you have an easy weekend escape from Graeagle’s main drag.
05
Best big-lake option
North Shore Beach, Lake Almanor
Lake Almanor, Near Chester • Big-Lake Swim Beach • Best For All-Day Outings
A broad lakeside beach with room for coolers, lawn chairs, and a full roster of swimming, boating, and sunbathing.
North Shore Beach gives you the feel of a true big-lake day, with long views across Almanor and plenty of space to spread out. The shoreline here is a mix of sand and small pebbles, with a gradual entry that works well for most comfort levels in the water. Plan to make a day of it: between the nearby picnic areas, boat traffic to watch, and fiery evening sunsets, it rewards those who don’t rush back to town.